How to Search BVA Decisions

Use this form to find Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) decisions. Below are simple tips to help you search. Form data is retained after submission for easy editing and resubmission:

• Basic Keyword Search
  • Enter a word or phrase related to the case you’re looking for.
  • If you’re looking for decisions about “COPD,” enter the term “COPD” in the search box.
• Using Exact Phrases
  • To search for exact phrases, enclose the phrase in quotation marks ("").
  • Example: If you’re looking for cases that mention “service connection for PTSD,” type "service connection for COPD".
• Additional Keywords or Phrases
  • Enter up to 3 additional keywords or phrases using the search operator selection.
  • Example: in the first box type "asthma" then select AND. In the 2nd box type "service connection" - Now your search will be asthma + service connection.
• Wildcard Search
  • Use an asterisk (*) to represent any number of characters in a word or phrase.
  • Example: service* will match “service-connected,” “services,” or “serviceman.”
• Combine Keywords
  • Use the dropdowns to combine keywords
  • AND (+): Both terms must appear, Example: asthma + COPD.
  • OR: Either term can appear, Example: asthma OR COPD.
  • Exclude (-): Exclude a term, Example: asthma - inhaler.
  • NEAR: Terms close together, Example: "asthma" within 80 words of "exacerbations". Use 1–255 words (larger numbers may give broader results). A keyword in the next field is required.
• Decision Type
  • Choose Granted, Denied, or Remanded to filter by outcome.
  • Example: "PTSD" + "granted" To find decisions where PTSD was granted.
  • NOTE: Some decision documents contain both "Granted" and "Denied". Best to use "Any" first. Then use "granted" to help narrow down results.
• Date Range
  • Uncheck "All Dates" and enter start/end dates (YYYY-MM-DD) to filter by decision date.
• Case Number
  • Enter a docket number, e.g., 1234567, to find a specific case. Extra spaces are automatically removed.
• Advanced Boolean Search Logic Combinations
  • Use parentheses in keyword fields for complex searches.
  • Example: (PTSD OR anxiety) AND "service connection" It will return results with either PTSD or anxiety, but only when “service connection” is also mentioned.